Marquee seamer Kemar Roach said on Saturday that the surprise omission of icons Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad had given West Indies an important boost ahead of their upcoming three-Test series against England, but warned that the tourists still carried a massive threat.

Anderson and Broad, the most decorated seamers in England history with 1,177 Test wickets between them, were both snubbed for the March 8-28 tour as England selectors revamped the squad following the recent Ashes disaster.

While Roach said their absence would leave “a hole” in the England attack, he underscored the danger still posed by the fast-bowling trio of Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood and Chris Woakes.

“[Their omission was] quite surprising. I thought, definitely, both of them would be still involved, but the decisions have been made from that end,” Roach told a media conference on Saturday, ahead of tomorrow’s start of the opening Test at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.

Read more at Jamaica Gleaner

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com
All Roach can do these days is run his mouth. I think he really belongs in the commentary booth instead of on the field of play. England picked their team and if you are surprised as an opposing player you should just hold your peace and quietly plan on how to make them pay. Unfortunately you should be more worried about your high school team Picked for this test with a combined 13 test centuries, ten fewer than the 23 Joe Root alone has. Furthermore, they have bowling depths unlike our team that has a very shallow attack. So stop talking and instead let your bowling do the talking for us please!!!

In reply to Sylobaby

You should just keep quiet, period.

In reply to Sylobaby

Opening spell.
5 overs 2 fa 19.

Yes all Roach do is run his mouth.

I hope you feel ashame now joker.

In reply to TanteMerle
Feel ashamed for what? For saying he needs to let his bowling do the talking? I hope he took my advice and not yours. 5/2/19 is not bad but at the moment 14/2/65 which means his last ten overs he hasn’t given us another wicket and went for 42 runs. Seems like he took ur advice instead of mine lol